This is Game 3 of the NLCS with the series with the Nationals with a 2-0 series lead.
In Game 2 of this series, the Nationals beat the Cardinals 3-1. The Nationals scored three runs on seven hits, and the Cardinals scored one run on three hits.
The Nationals got another outstanding performance from their starter in Game 2 with Max Scherzer tossing seven scoreless innings striking out 11 batters and only allowing one hit.
The Cardinals have totaled one runs and only four hits in losing the first two games of this series.
This season the Cardinals rank 19th in runs scored and 5th in team ERA, and the Nationals rank 6th in runs scored and 13th in team ERA.
Pitching Match Up
St. Louis: Jack Flaherty (11-8 2.75 ERA) Washington: Stephen Strasburg (18-6 3.32 ERA)
This game is Flaherty’s 3rd playoff start, and his last one was Game 5 of the NLDS, where he gave up one earned run on four hits in six innings in a 13-1 win over the Atlanta Braves. In his previous start, also in the NLDS, he gave up three earned runs on eight hits in seven innings in a 3-0 St. Louis loss. This start is his first of the season against the Nationals. Flaherty has 16 strikeouts in 13 innings in his two playoff starts this season, and he has allowed a HR in each of them. The Cardinals have won 11 of his last 16 starts but have lost five of his previous seven road starts against a team with a winning record.
This is Strasburg’s 4th appearance and 3rd start of the playoffs, and his last one was in Game 5 of the NLDS, where he gave up three earned runs on six hits, including two HR, in six innings in a 7-3 win over the LA Dodgers. The Nationals have won his three playoff appearance where he has totaled 15 innings striking out 21 and gave up four earned runs. The Cardinals are 1-1 in Strasburg’s two games facing the Cardinals this season, where he totaled 11 2/3 innings and gave up three earned runs. His 3rd to the last start of the regular season was against the Cardinals in St. Louis, where he gave up two earned runs in five innings in a 4-2 loss. The Nationals have won 44 of his last 63 home starts, and they have won 39 of his previous 56 starts against a team with a winning record. Washington has won four of Strasburg’s last five starts against the Cardinals.
Betting Angles
- The Cardinals are 5-1 in their last six road games against the Nationals.
- In the last eight games between these teams, the Under record is 7-0-1.
Straight Up / Over/Under / Run Line Records
St. Louis Cardinals: 94-74 SU / O/U 72-88 / Run Line W/L 90-78 Washington Nationals: 98-71 SU / O/U 77-81 / Run Line W/L 95-74
Key Betting Trends
- STL is 8-3 in their last 11 road games
- STL is 1-7 in their previous eight games against a right-hand starter
- STL has an Under record of 16-6 in their last 22 road games against a right-hand starter
- WASH is 36-15 in their last 51 home games
- WASH is 7-0 in their previous seven home games against a right-hand starter
- WASH has an Under record of 6-2 in their previous eight games
Team Info
The Cardinals are in a 2-0 hole in this series after losing the first two games of the NLCS at home. There have only been three teams that have come back to win a best of seven playoff series after losing the first two games at home.
The Cardinals scored 18 runs in the last two games of the NLDS, but in the four losses in their past six games, they only totaled two runs.
Washington has won four games in a row, and in that span, they only gave up five runs.
Since going hitless in his first two playoff games, Anthony Rendon has hit safely in six straight games with five RBI and is hitting .346 in the post-season.
Key Injuries
CARDINALS
SP Michael Wacha is out indefinitely, and RP Brett Cecil is out until mid-October.
NATIONALS
CF Victor Robles is questionable and has not played in the first two games of this series, RP Roenis Elias is indefinitely, and RP Koda Glover is out until mid-October.
- Get more details: Cardinals at Nationals MLB Match-up Stats
